Pakistani-Origin England Players Face Indian Visa Delays Ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup

England’s preparations for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup have been disrupted after two key players, Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, failed to secure Indian visas in time for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka and India.

Both cricketers, who are of Pakistani origin, were unable to travel with the England squad due to pending clearance from Indian authorities. The delay means they will miss the start of England’s limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is beginning on January 22 in Colombo.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that all required documentation was completed promptly once official invitation letters were issued by the ICC. However, complications arose as both Rashid and Ahmed were applying from overseas due to commitments in international franchise leagues.

Adil Rashid was participating in the UAE’s ILT20, while Rehan Ahmed was playing in Australia’s Big Bash League. As of now, Ahmed is expected to remain in Australia, while Rashid continues to await confirmation on his travel status.

Sources say the ECB is in constant contact with the ICC, BCCI, and relevant authorities in both the UK and India to resolve the matter. The situation has raised wider concerns, as similar visa issues have reportedly affected players from other teams as well.

In recent years, players of Pakistani heritage have repeatedly faced visa-related hurdles while traveling to India. England encountered comparable problems in 2024, when Shoaib Bashir was forced to return home temporarily to complete his visa process before a Test series.

Reports also indicate that Pakistan-born players representing the USA and other nations have faced visa rejections ahead of the tournament. Several cricket boards have reportedly raised the issue with the ICC, warning that continued delays could disrupt squad planning for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

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